Folding table

ABSTRACT

A folding table includes a single tabletop extending over a framework and legs. The folding table includes a first framework with a first pair of legs and a second framework including a second pair of legs. Folding linkages fold the tabletop between a first use position wherein the tabletop is substantially horizontal and second storage position wherein the tabletop is substantially vertical. A damping assembly includes a damper mounted to the tabletop and the frameworks and includes a damping linkage to guide and provide controlled folding and unfolding of the table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a folding table and in particular to aportable folding table having a single folding tabletop member.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Folding tables are widely used in rooms that are used for multiplepurposes. Tables can be rapidly set up in a room, and then quicklyfolded and put in storage as may be required. A typical prior artfolding table has a pair of tabletop surfaces that are hingedlyconnected along adjacent edges. Leg assemblies pivotally connect to theundersides of the tabletops and cross connect links pivotallyinterconnect the legs of one tabletop surface to the underside of theopposite tabletop surface. With such a configuration, tables foldbetween a substantially vertical storage position wherein the tabletopmembers and legs are generally vertically oriented and a horizontal useposition wherein the tabletop surfaces are generally horizontal todefine an extended tabletop surface. The tables provide a degree ofnesting in the storage position so that the tables have a smallerfootprint during storage.

Although such tables provide great utility and increase the flexibilityof spaces in which they are used, the tables do have some drawbacks. Thetables generally require a somewhat complex frame and linkage assemblyto ensure safe folding between the use and storage positions. Moreover,it may be difficult to maintain a slow controlled folding motion so thatthe tabletops do not slam down towards the use position. Although suchtables do provide a tabletop surface with great utility, the surface isnot continuous. The tabletop members folding along an adjacent edge maypresent a pinching hazard requiring workers to use care during foldingand unfolding. Moreover, it is often desirable to have a continuoussingle tabletop as it is generally easier to clean and maintain.Moreover, in some cultures and uses, a single tabletop member ispreferred. Such folding tables may often be used in ballrooms and otherhalls wherein wedding receptions are held. A single tabletop is a signof unity in some cultures and is often preferred over a table having apair of opposed folding tabletops.

It can be seen then that a new and improved folding table is needed.Such a table should provide for safe and efficient use in foldingbetween the storage and use positions. Such a table should utilize asingle folding tabletop member forming the entire table surface.Moreover, the table should utilize a folding linkage that provides forcontrolled folding and slow deployment, especially when folding to theuse position. Such a tabletop should also provide balance and allow fora single person to safely fold the table between the differentpositions. The present invention addresses these problems, as well asothers associated with portable folding tables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a folding table and in particularto a folding table having a single tabletop and a damper assembly tofacilitate controlled folding between use and storage positions. Thefolding table includes two pairs of opposed legs with each pair havingan associated framework. These assemblies are connected by a pair offolding linkages that facilitate folding between a use position and astorage position. In the use position, the single tabletop extends overthe legs and framework in a substantially horizontal plane. In thestorage position, the tabletop is substantially vertical. The storageposition provides for a smaller footprint, requiring less storage space,allows a degree of nesting between adjacent tables and facilitatestransportation between storage and use locations.

The legs are equipped with casters that extend so as to be spaced abovethe ground in the use position and to engage the ground with the legsautomatically lifted from the ground in the storage position.

The framework includes pivoting members supporting the tabletop andconnecting the legs. A pair of folding linkages have cross links thatmount between the pairs of legs and facilitate the folding between theuse position and the storage position. The folding tabletop ispositioned slightly off center from the folding axis so that a majorityof the tabletop is below the axis in the storage position. Such aposition provides for a lower center of gravity and requires less effortfrom workers to fold and unfold the table.

In addition to the folding linkages, folding and unfolding the table isfacilitated by a damper assembly including a damper having a damper bodycontaining a damping fluid and a telescoping rod extending from thedamper body. Valves in the damper control fluid into and out of thedamper body and vary the damping forces so that damping engages at theproper position during folding and unfolding and provides the requiredforces needed while allowing the table to fold and unfold withoutrequiring undue effort from a person folding and/or unfolding the table.

The damping assembly also includes a pair of linkages that aresubstantial mirrors of one another and connect the two folding portionsof the frame as well as the damper body. The damper rod connects to theframe at an underside of the tabletop in one configuration. The damperlinkages are substantially mirror images of each other and each includestwo link elements connecting at the damper and that with the damper anddamper rod form parallel four bar linkages. It can be appreciated thatthe force and length of the various links in the damper assembly may beadjusted depending upon the configuration of the table and the weight ofthe tabletop.

Folding and unfolding of the table is accomplished by gripping thetabletop at the ends or grasping handles on an underside of the tabletopproximate the top edge from the tabletop assembly storage position.Folding from the use position to the storage position is easilyaccomplished by simply lifting the tabletop upward and allowing thelinkages to fold and using the weight of the tabletop to move to thestorage position. The damper assembly also provides a mechanical forceto aid in folding to the storage position.

Unfolding from the storage position to the use position is accomplishedby again grasping the tabletop and guiding the tabletop downward towardthe horizontal position. The tabletop is offset slightly and balanced sothat the tabletop will fall somewhat slowly until reaching a positionwherein the damper engages with greater force. This position mighttypically be, for example, at approximately 30 degrees from horizontal,after which the damper controls the speed of the table motion as thetable top moves down to the horizontal position. It can be appreciatedthat no locks are required and that the folding may be easily performedwith a single person guiding the tabletop between the storage and usepositions. The valves in the damper provide uneven flow betweenextension and retraction of the telescoping rod to match the dampingforces needed for folding and unfolding. The damper provides for fastermotion when the tabletop is raised to the substantially vertical storageposition than when being lowered to the substantially horizontal useposition.

This configuration provides several advantages. When the table is in theuse position, the damper extends vertically and the force extendsthrough the pivot. Therefore, the force of the damper does not act so asto tend to fold the table. Moreover, the damper exerts a force thatassists in maintaining the table in the storage position as the table istransported between storage and/or use locations.

These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterizethe invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexedhereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding ofthe invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use,reference should be made to the drawings that form a further parthereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there isillustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding table in a folded storageconfiguration according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the folding table shown in FIG. 1 in anunfolded use configuration;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the folding table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the folding table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the folding table shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the folding table shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the folding table shown in FIG. 1in a partially folded position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 3 showing details of adamper assembly for the folding table; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6 showingdetails of the damper assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereis shown a portable folding table, generally designated 10. In theembodiment shown, the folding table 10 contains a single oval tabletop12. However, other common tabletop shapes can also be used. The foldingtable 10 also includes legs 14 with casters 16 mounted on the legs 14.In the use position shown in FIG. 2, the table 10 is supported solely onthe legs 14 while the casters 16 are lifted off the floor. Conversely,in the folded storage position shown in FIG. 1, the legs 14 areautomatically lifted from the floor and the folding table 10 issupported solely on the casters 16, as shown most clearly in FIG. 4.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6, the folding table 10includes a frame 20 pivotally mounted to the legs 14. The framework ofeach pair of legs 14 pivots about hinges 18 to define a folding axis forthe table 10. A center frame member 24 mounts to an underside of thetabletop 12 near a pivoting axis of the tabletop 12. Side frame members28 also mount on an underside of the tabletop 12. In addition, a movingcenter member 26 supports the tabletop 12 in the use position whilepivoting side frame members 30 also support the tabletop 12 in the useposition. Frame members 22 extend between the legs 14 of each pair. Theunderside of the tabletop 12 may also include a handle 32 to aid ingripping the tabletop 12 during folding and unfolding of the table 10.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3-7, the folding table 10 includesa pair of folding linkages 40 that facilitate folding of the table 10between the use position and storage position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.The folding linkage 40 includes cross links 42 extending between theframe members 22 and 26. The cross links 42 pivotally mount at one endto center pivot mounts 46 and at an opposite end to mounts 44. The table10 includes two parallel linkages 40, one associated with each pair oflegs 14. It can further be appreciated that the tabletop 12 ispositioned slightly off center from the folding axis with a greaterportion of the tabletop 12 positioned below the folding axis when in thestorage position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 to facilitate greater balanceduring the folding and unfolding operations. Moreover, such aconfiguration lessens the effort needed by a worker to fold and unfoldthe table 10. The offset of the tabletop 12 also provides a lower centerof gravity when the tabletop 10 is in the storage position. Thisconfiguration also provides improved balance and decreases the amount ofdamping required as explained hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a damper assembly 50mounted to an underside of the table 10 and intermediate the foldinglinkages 40. The damper assembly 50 includes a damper 52 including adamper body 54 containing hydraulic fluid to control extension andretraction of a damper rod 56 into and out of the damper body 54. Thedamper 52 mounts to an assembly that includes a pair of parallel damperlinkages 60 mounting at a common pivot 68 with the damper body 54 tosubstantially mirror one another about the damper 52. One of the pair oflinkages 60 mounts to the moving center frame member 26 while the otherdamper linkage 60 mounts to the underside of the tabletop 10 at thecenter frame member 24. The telescoping rod 56 extends outward topivotally mount at mounting element 66 extending from the center framemember 24. Each of the damper linkages 60 includes a longer first link62 mounting at the damper 52 and pivot 68, and a second shorter link 64mounted to the first link 62. One of the second damper links 64 mountsto the first mount at the frame member 26 while the other of the seconddamper links 64 mounts to the frame member 24. The longer damper linkagelinks 62 may include a bend along a portion of the link 62 to mirror thecross links 42 of the folding linkages 40, which may also have a slightbend in the embodiment shown.

It can be appreciated that the damper linkages 60 are independent of thefolded linkages 40, as shown most clearly in FIG. 6, so that the damperassembly 50 may be adjusted to fit the particular configuration of thetable 10 and to adapt to different tabletop members 12. The portablefolding table 10 may be easily modified for different tabletop sizes andshapes along with changing the amount of damping provided by the damper52.

As shown in FIG. 7, the folding table 10 may be generally folded fromthe storage position shown in FIG. 1 to the use position shown in FIG. 2by simply lowering the tabletop 10 and providing some guidance. This maybe accomplished either by standing at the side of the folding tabletop10 or by grasping the handle 32 at the raised edge of the tabletop 10when folded. The hinges 18, folding linkages 40 and damper linkages 60provide for smooth transition and folding and lowering of the tabletop12 to the position shown in FIG. 7. At or near such a partially foldedposition, the damping force increases due to the control valve in thedamper body 54 controlling the flow of fluid into and out of the body54. In one embodiment, the increased damping force activates when thetabletop 12 is at an angle of approximately 30 degrees from horizontal.When the damping increases, the folding motion is resisted so that aslow controlled unfolding takes place as the tabletop lowers to thehorizontal position shown in FIG. 2. Such slow and controlled unfoldingprovides for added safety as the workers may help to guide and controlthe table 10 while also having sufficient time to be positioned awayfrom below the tabletop lowering to the use position.

To fold the table 10 to the storage position, the tabletop 12 may againbe grasped at the sides or at an edge of the tabletop 12 or by graspingthe handle 32. The tabletop 12 is simply raised upward and is easilyfolded in a controlled manner to the position shown in FIG. 1. The legs14 and casters 12 are configured so that the bottom of the legs 14 areautomatically lifted from the ground and the table 10 is supportedsolely on the casters 16 for easily rolling to the storage location.Moreover, the damper 52 does not exert a great damping force when thetable 10 is nearly folded so that folding is easily accomplished whenfolding to the storage position. When folded, it can be appreciated thatthe folding table 10 requires a much smaller footprint and provideseasier storage while achieving a degree of nesting between adjacenttables 10.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrativeonly, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape,size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention tothe full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms inwhich the appended claims are expressed.

1. A folding table, comprising: a tabletop; a first framework includinga first pair of legs beneath a first portion of the tabletop; a secondframework including a second pair of legs beneath a second portion ofthe tabletop; a folding linkage folding the table top between a firstposition wherein the tabletop is substantially horizontal and supportedon the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs, and a secondposition wherein the tabletop extends substantially vertically; adamping assembly including a damper mounted to the tabletop and adamping assembly linkage mounted to the tabletop and the damper.
 2. Afolding table according to claim 1, wherein the damper is verticallyoriented when the table top is in the first position.
 3. A folding tableaccording to claim 2, wherein when the table top is in the firstposition, the damper is aligned with a center pivot of the foldinglinkage so that force from the damper does not act to tend to fold thetable.
 4. A folding table according to claim 1, wherein each of the legsincludes a caster.
 5. A folding table according to claim 4, wherein thefolding table is supported on the casters at the second position and thecasters are lifted from the ground at the first position.
 6. A foldingtable according to claim 1, wherein the folding linkage comprises pivotsand the damping assembly linkage comprises pivots configured tofacilitate folding and unfolding of the folding linkage.
 7. A foldingtable according to claim 1, wherein the damping assembly linkagecomprises a first set of pivot links on a first side of the damper and asecond set of pivot links on an opposite side of the damper.
 8. Afolding table according to claim 7, wherein the first set of pivot linksand the second set of pivot links of the damping assembly linkagecomprise parallel linkages.
 9. A folding table according to claim 6,wherein the folding linkage comprises a first linkage extending betweenthe first framework and the second framework and a second linkageextending between the first framework and the second framework.
 10. Afolding table according to claim 9, wherein the damping assembly linkageis intermediate the first linkage and the second linkage.
 11. A foldingtable according to claim 1, wherein the first framework and the secondframework define a centerline and the first portion of the tabletop ison a first side of the centerline and the second portion of the tabletopis on a second side of the centerline, the first portion being largerthan the second portion.
 12. A folding table according to claim 11,wherein the first portion of the tabletop is below the second portion ofthe tabletop when the folding table is at the second position.
 13. Afolding table according to claim 1, further comprising a handle on anunderside of the second portion of the tabletop.
 14. A folding tableaccording to claim 12, further comprising a handle on an underside ofthe second portion of the tabletop.
 15. A folding table according toclaim 1, wherein the tabletop is oval.
 16. A folding table according toclaim 15, wherein the oval tabletop has a length greater than a width,and wherein the length extends generally along a folding axis.
 17. Afolding table according to claim 1, wherein when the table top is at thesecond position, the damper exerts a force that acts to tend to maintainthe table in the second position.
 18. A folding table, comprising: atabletop; a first framework including a first pair of legs beneath afirst portion of the tabletop; a second framework including a secondpair of legs beneath a second portion of the tabletop; a first foldinglinkage extending between the first framework and the second frameworkand a second folding linkage extending between the first framework andthe second framework folding the table top between a first positionwherein the tabletop is substantially horizontal and supported on thefirst pair of legs and the second pair of legs, and a second positionwherein the tabletop extends substantially vertically, the firstframework and the second framework defining a centerline with the firstportion of the tabletop on a first side of the centerline and the secondportion of the tabletop on a second side of the centerline, the firstportion being larger than the second portion and below the secondportion when the folding table is at the second position; and a dampingassembly including a damper mounted to the tabletop and a dampingassembly linkage mounted to the tabletop and the damper, the dampingassembly linkage having pivots configured to facilitate folding andunfolding of the folding linkage.
 19. A folding table according to claim18, wherein the damping assembly linkage comprises a first set of pivotlinks on a first side of the damper and a second set of pivot links onan opposite side of the damper.
 20. A folding table according to claim19, wherein the first set of pivot links and the second set of pivotlinks of the damping assembly linkage comprise parallel linkages.
 21. Afolding table according to claim 18, wherein each of the legs includes acaster and wherein the folding table is supported on the casters at thesecond position and the casters are lifted from the ground at the firstposition.
 22. A folding table according to claim 18, further comprisinga handle on an underside of the second portion of the tabletop.
 23. Afolding table according to claim 18, wherein the damping assemblylinkage is intermediate the first folding linkage and the second foldinglinkage.